Dispensing unit embodying mechanical refrigeration



June 23, 1931. CQPEMAN 1,811,456

DISPENSING UNIT EMBODYING MECHANICAL REFRIGERATION Filed April 30, 19282 Sheets-Sheet l :5 J; y P 1% llliigf ll lli I N VEN TOR.

A TTORN E Y.

| I D U g u u 70 Z 6&peman.

June 23, 1931. 1.. G. COPEMAN 1,811,456

I DISPENSING UNIT EMBQDYING MECHANICAL REFRIGERATION Filed April 50,1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4? /'/Q I I I I l i 1 r k r I I 1 l I FT I EWINVENTOR. pemam Patented June 23, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LLOYDG. COPEMAN, OF FLINT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO COPEMAN LABORATORIESCOMPANY, OF FLINT, MICHIGAN,

A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN DISPENSING UNIT EMBODYING- MECHANICALREFRIGERATION Application filed April 30,

This invention relates to dispensing units embodying mechanicalrefrigeration, and has to do particularly with a very compact,inexpensive and simple structure of the water cooler type and the mannerof arranging the cooling unit adjacent the container whereby to effectan extremely eflicient refrigerating system having excellent heatconducting as well as hold-over properties.

The liquid container is preferably formed or cast in one piece and of amaterial different'than the remaining part of the unit. The

refrigerating or cooling unit is preferably of the flooded typeconsisting of a boiler or evaporator and a plurality of heat conductingmembers branching off therefrom to embrace and be positioned in heatconducting relation with the sides of the liquid container.

The cooling unit, together with the additional heat conductin means, maybe embedded in place by enclosing the same with plastically appliedstone, or the stone may be so molded as to form suitable passageways forpermitting the movement of the cooling unit.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View. partly cut away, of a portion of adispensing unit embodying the present invehtion.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view illustrating in particular themanner of positioning and arranging the cooling unit and the heatconducting branch members thereof relative to the liquid container.

Fig. 3 is a plan view, partly cut away, of

l the structure shown in Fig. 2, and illustrating the branch heatconducting members in the form of conduits for assisting the circulationof the refrigerating medium.

- Fig. 4 is a plan view similar to Fig. 3 illus- 40 trating a modifiedform of structure in that the branch conduits are solid heat conductingmembers.

The liquid container or main dispensing unit comprises a member 1 whichis preferably formed of fired ceramic material which 1928. Serial No.273,786.

not only has a. very sanitaiy appearance but is very efiicient as a heatconductor and as a hold-over. This container 1 is preferably unitary andrectangular, although it may be understood that it may assume variousshapes in accordance with the invention. The to of the container 1 maybe closed'by a suitable closure member 2, or such member 2 may be soconstructed as to receive the usual standard water bottle.

The refrigerating effect is preferably secured by a suitable boiler orevaporator 3 which may be of standard design and suitably constructed toreceive liquid refrigerant from a source (not shown) and maintain thesame at a given level. This cooling unit 3 is provided with branchmembers 4 and 5 which preferably extend up alongside of the two walls ofthe member 1.

Such cooling unit and the branch heat conducting members 4 and 5 arepreferably held in heat conducting relation with the container 1 bymeans of the stone lining 6 which may be formed of an oXy-chloridecement or other suitable unfired material. Such stone 6 may be initiallymolded so as to present asuitable opening for receiving and supportingthe member 3 with the branch members 4 and 5 whereby such member may beremoved or replaced as a unit. sired, when the member 3 is once placedin position, the stone 6 may be plastically applied to securely embedthe same in position. This plastically applied but hardened stone 6 ispreferably of suificient mass to act as a good hold-over, and while ithas good heat conducting properties, the branch members 4 and 5 haverelatively greater heat conducting properties whereby to efiect a morerapid heat distribution.

A suitable spigot member 7 may be positioned to dispense the contentsfrom the container 1, and although such member is shown in position atthe side in Fig. 2, this is merely for illustration and in its preferredform it Or if de-- insulating material is positioned in the front, andat one side, of the container. The stone work lining 6 is of coursepreferably surrounded by suitable 8 to form the cabinet of an entirecooling unit.

In the modification shown in Fig. 4, the cooling unit- 3 is providedwith suitable metallic fins 9 and 10 for effecting a greater transfer ofthe heat than would be otherwise obtainable by the cast stone. Such fins9 and 10, together with the unit 3, may beiembedded by the-plasticallyapplied stone into perma nent heat conducting relation with thecontainer 1, or the stone may be so molded as to slidably receive themember 3 with the fins 9 and 10 if desired. In case the member 3,together with its heat conducting branches, is embedded in the stone,the unit 1 is preferably removable whereby to permit of access to thecooling unit.

' In the operation of the unit, a suitable refrigerant'is conducted tothe evaporator 3,

' according to temperature conditions, and

cooling ofv the liquid within the container 1 is effected by direct-heatconduction through the container 1 and between the member 3 and itsbranches extending up and around thecontainer, and the liquidwithin thecontainer. Such branch members 4 and 5, or 9 and 10, in combination withthe stone container and stone lining, effecting efficient heatconduction entirely around the container unit to evenly distribute andequalize the heat units. This will permit the refrigeration system to berun at a much higher temperature to thus greatly increase the efliciencythereof. The stone container 1 and the stone lining 6, while they bothact as good conductors, are also efficient hold-over niedi- .ums tomaterially reducethe frequency of the operation of the unit.

What I claim is:

1. A refrigerating apparatus of the liquid dispensing type,.comprisingan integral coutainer for receiving the liquid to be cooled anddispensed, an evaporator positioned in heat conducting relation with oneof the walls of said container for receiving and circulating a volatilerefrigerant, and heat conducting branch members extending from saidevaporator in heat conducting relation with other walls of saidcontainer whereby to effect equalization in the cooling of said liquidcontents.

2. A refrigerating apparatus of the liquid dispensing type, comprising acast stone container unit for receiving the liquid to be dispensed, acooling unit, a plastically applied stone work lining between thecontainer and the'cabinet walls of the apparatus, and a portion of saidstone container and said stone lining being spaced for receiving saidcooling unit and positioning the same in heat conductin relation withthe container.

3. A refrigerating apparatusof the liquid dispensing t pe, comprising aliquid container, a coo mg unit comprising an evaporator positioned 1nheat conducting relation with a portlon of the contamer, and branch heatconducting means leading therefrom and tor and branch members inposition.

4. A refrigerating apparatus of the liquid dispensing type, comprising aliquld container, a mass of stone surrounding said container andproviding a space therebetween, and a cooling unit for receiving avolatile refrigerant slidable in the space between the container andstone, said cooling unit being in heat conducting relation with thecontainer, and said mass of stone being such as to serve as a goodhold-over.

5. A refrigerating apparatus of the liquid dispensing type, comprising acontainer for receiving a liquid to be dispensed, a cooling unitcomprising an evaporator for receiving and circulating refrigerantpositioned in heat conducting relation adjacent one part of saidcontainer, branch pipes leadin from said evaporator and extending aroundand in heat conductingrelation with other portions of said container,aiida material having good hold-over properties surrounding saidevaporator and branch heat conducting members.

6. A refrigerating apparatus of the liquid dispensing type, comprising aunitary integral container of fired ceramic material for receiving aliquid to be dispensed, a cool ing unit comprising an evaporator forreceiving and circulating refrigerant posi' tioned in heat conductingrelation adjacent the bottom of said container, branch pipes leadingfrom said evaporator and extending upwardly around and in heatconducting relation with the side walls of said container, and amaterial having good hold-over properties surrounding said evaporatorand branch heat conducting members, said evaporator and heat conductingmembers being slidable in a space provided between said container andsaid hold-,over material.

7. A refrigerating apparatus, comprising a container unit formed offired ceramic material. artificial stone of the type adapted to hardenwithout firing positioned around said container unit, said artificialstone being formed to provide a space for receiving a refrigerantconducting member, said refrigerant conducting member being slidable insaid space and being positioned in heat conducting relation with saidcontainer, and said artificial stone serving as a hold-over.

8. A refrigerating apparatus of the liquid dispensing type, comprising aliquid container formed of a fired ceramic material, refrigerantconducting means positioned in heat conducting relation with the bottomof said container, and branch heat conducting means extending from saidcooling unit upwardly, around and in heat conducting relation with thesides of said container, and a mass of material having good hold-overpro erties but of less heat conductivity than said branch members forsurrounding the cooling member and its branch members, and serving as ahold-over for the entire system.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

LLOYD G. COPEMAN.

